A community hub in Coatbridge has received a £10,000 funding boost to grow its services as well as create vital social opportunities for residents.
Kirkshaws Neighbourhood Centre has secured £10,000 through the Scottish Procurement Alliance’s (SPA) community benefit fund – unlocking new activities, empowering volunteers, and helping locals of all ages to live healthier, more connected lives.
Nominated by long-standing SPA committee member, Clyde Valley Housing Association, the funding will help to deliver hands-on cooking and budgeting workshops, and an inclusive cycling initiative that is giving residents the confidence and freedom to get active.
Willie McBride, centre manager at Kirkshaws Neighbourhood Centre, said, “We are incredibly grateful to Scottish Procurement Alliance and Lintel Trust for this generous grant at a time when our communities’ needs are rapidly growing. Servicing the demand is becoming increasingly challenging, but having the backing and support from the SPA Community Benefit Fund is benefiting the realisation of our ambitions and is helping us support individuals, families, young people, as well as older people.
“It’s important to us that our activities and services are fully inclusive and that we offer vital support, giving every member the opportunity to learn, connect and thrive. The funding from SPA is helping us achieve this goal.”
Now owned and operated by the local community, Kirkshaws Neighbourhood Centre has been embedded in the heart of Coatbridge for over three decades. With services spanning food provision, youth work, digital skills, and employability support, the centre is a lifeline for hundreds of individuals and families.
Amanda Gauld, Social Value Advisor at SPA, said: “Being able to invest in community projects and initiatives like Kirkshaws Neighbourhood Centre fills me with immense pride. The team at Kirkshaws have been great to work with and witnessing the wide range of activities organised by the centre demonstrates the true value of having a community led hub that cares deeply about delivering services that Kirkshaws and the surrounding area needs.”
Each of SPA’s committee partners, including Clyde Valley Housing Association, is eligible to apply for annual funding to support local initiatives. The partners also benefit from framework rebates, with usage directly influencing the scale of reinvestment into their communities.
Recognised in North Lanarkshire Council’s 2020 Local Outcome Improvement Plan as a key driver of engagement, Kirkshaws Neighbourhood Centre has gone from strength to strength. The new funding is helping it expand provision, build on its successes and create new opportunities for those who rely on it.
Vaila Whittall, senior community development officer at Clyde Valley Housing Association, added, “We’re really pleased to see Kirkshaws Neighbourhood Centre get this support through the SPA Community Benefit Fund. It’s a fantastic example of how community-led projects can make a big difference whether it’s through skills workshops, the cycle club, or just creating a space where people can connect and feel supported. The team at Kirkshaws do amazing work, and we’re proud to play a part in helping them grow and continue making a positive impact in the local area.”
